Dear Bangladeshi student,
Bangladesh Association of Missississippi State University (MSU) congratulates you on your admission to MSU. Welcome to our community. Let us assure you that the Bangladeshi community is keen to receive you amongst us. We look forward to productive and synergistic interactions.
Here are some basic information that you might find useful on your arrival.
In comparison to Dhaka, Starkville is a very small town with all necessary amenities that are easily available. It is a nice and quite place within five hours driving distance of the major cities of Memphis, New Orleans, Atlanta, Birmingham and Jackson, the state capital.
Summers are hot (90 - 110F, 31 - 43C) and stormy, and winters are cold (25F, -4C lowest), chilly and wet. Usually it snows once in every three seasons.
Golden Triangle Airport (airline code GTR) (Columbus, MS) is about 15 minutes driving distance from the campus. Taxis are available (approximately $18.00 fare). You may also fly to other regional cities and take a bus to Starkville. Greyhound Buses are available from all the locations. Memphis (TN), Jackson (MS) and Birmingham (AL) are within three hours' while Atlanta (GA) is within five hours' distance.
Bring warm and cold weather clothes. Don't forget about sleeping suit, jeans and t-shirts (think about the temperature in summer and winter and prepare accordingly). If you wear corrective lenses, bring an extra set for examinations or replacement. Books are expensive here, so bring books that you feel you may need. If you really like deshi food, don't forget to bring the spices. Learn basic Bangladeshi cooking before you come. Above all, learn to drive and obtain an international driving license (English version). There is NO PUBLIC TRANSPORT in this country (accept in major cities like New York) and it is hard to survive here without a car even though campus buses are available. Bring some photograph of the happy events and persons you love and will leave back home. Everything will seem to be expensive to you when you convert the price into taka. We recommend to even bring stationary items like paper, envelope, pencil, stapler, pen, marker, James' clip etc. If I were you, I would have questioned myself: what things I need everyday when I wake up in the morning till at night when I go to bed and then try to accumulate them as much as I could. From my own experience, it helped me immensely.
Obviously you will carry traveler's check. During your journey, you should carry around two hundred dollars in cash.
Whatever you do, don't forget to contact us at the earliest. We will try our best to provide you with emotional, logistical and cultural support.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with further queries. We are looking forward to seeing you.
On behalf of the Bangladesh Association of MSU
Mohammad Ashique Khan